How to Put an Octopus to Bed

By Sherri Duskey Rinker and Viviane Schwarz

A new bedtime classic from the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site!

It's time for bed and this little octopus is more than happy to volunteer! He's all ready to put his parents to bed! Bath time, putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, and tucking everyone in is a whole new challenge when the kid is in charge (and especially when everyone has eight arms!). From bestselling author Sherri Duskey Rinker and award-winning illustrator Viviane Schwarz comes a romping, rhyming, hilarious tale sure to entertain wiggly bedtime readers everywhere.

• Perfect for children who are learning good bedtime, bath time, and toothbrushing habits
• Silly and clever rhymes make this a perfect read-aloud book
• From the bestselling author of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Steam Train, Dream Train

Any child who loves Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, I Am Not Sleepy and Will Not Go to Bed, and Llama, Llama, Red Pajama will love How to Put an Octopus to Bed!

• Read-aloud book for kids ages 3–5
• Toddler book about brushing teeth
• Goodnight books for toddlers

Sherri Duskey Rinker is the New York Times bestselling author of the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series and Steam Train, Dream Train. She lives in Chicago with her photographer husband and two energetic, inquisitive sons.

Viviane Schwarz is the author-illustrator of several picture books, including There Are Cats in this Book, There Are No Cats in this Book, and Is There a Dog in this Book? She can usually be found in her studio in London, unless she's outside researching and sketching.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chronicle Books Digital
• Release date: Mar 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781452176185

Sherri Duskey Rinker

Sherri Duskey Rinker is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site; Steam Train, Dream Train; Mighty, Mighty Construction Site; Construction Site on Christmas Night; Three Cheers for Kid McGear!; Construction Site Mission: Demolition!; Road Crew, Coming Through!; Construction Site: Farming Strong, All Year Long!; and Construction Site: Taking Flight! Sherri lives near Chicago, Illinois.

Book preview

Reviews for How to Put an Octopus to Bed

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A wriggly young octopus named Floyd turns the tables on his parents at bedtime in this rhyming romp of a picture-book, deciding that he will put them to bed, rather than the other way round. From bath-time play to brushing their teeth, Floyd supervises his parents, while also getting his own end-of-the-day tasks done...I have read some of author Sherri Duskey Rinker's rhyming picture-books before, particularly her beloved Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and The 12 Sleighs of Christmas, and have also enjoyed the artwork of illustrator Viviane Schwarz, in her own There Are Cats in This Book, as well as other titles, so I picked up this bedtime book with some anticipation, especially as I am very fond of octopodes. Unfortunately, I had a more mixed reaction to How to Put an Octopus to Bed than I had expected, finding the story idea interesting - it's a variation on the usual 'reluctant to go to bed' bedtime book - and the artwork cute, but also finding the rhyme scheme itself rather uneven. The structure of the verse seemed to change midway through, and it was quite distracting. I thought the earlier half of the book read far more smoothly than the latter, and that, overall, the text is not quite a success. I also found the episode in the bath rather puzzling, with its talk of getting wet. I assumed until that point that the octopode home being depicted was underwater, but I guess not? All in all, this is not one that I strongly recommend, as I feel there are better going to bed books available.